NEARLY all Surrey's boroughs and districts appear in the top 50 in a league of areas most likely to be resilient against the effects of recession.

Research carried out by credit check company Experian has found that Elmbridge was the most likely location in the country to cope best with spending cuts and other likely effects of the economic downturn.

Other areas featured in the top 10 were Waverley, Mole Valley and Surrey Heath, with Guildford appearing at number 12.

The Surrey borough least likely to fare well under the recession was Spelthorne, ranked at number 80 out of the total 324 local authority areas featured.

In working out the resilience of a location, Experian researchers looked at a range of factors, including business strength, the people, community and place.

Elsewhere in the research, areas in Surrey labelled as ‘high growth sectors’ included Woking, which was ranked at number four, Surrey Heath at eight and Reigate & Banstead at number nine.

Runnymede and Mole Valley both appeared in the top 20 for the proportion of people who were self-employed.

The research, which was commissioned by the BBC, has been released the month before the coalition government unveils its spending review.

It is thought that major spending cuts could fall disproportionately on the poorest areas which are most dependent on public funding.

In reaction to the findings, Chris Leary, a spokesman for Surrey County Unison, said: “Surrey gives an overall impression that the county will be quite resilient for the forthcoming cuts, but this is heavily skewed by the extreme wealth that exists in parts of Surrey.

“This masks the hidden pockets of extreme deprivation and poverty that exist within Surrey, especially in the north of the county, such as areas like Spelthorne which is 80th on this list.”

Revitalisation

Pauline Hedges, head of policy for Surrey Chambers of Commerce, agreed that the county was well-placed to survive the recession, adding: “It’s something we’ve been saying for some time.

“Traditionally it’s always been the case that Surrey is last in and first out. People here tend to have good, solid jobs that are secure.

“I think all the towns are doing really well, Guildford particularly is picking up, they’re all showing a sense of revitalisation.

"It’s about time Guildford became the county town in reality as well as just in name.

“It’s an upwards spiral, as people gain confidence, as they see things are happening, they think ‘I’ll have a go, I’ll join in’.”

Mrs Hedges said she was especially pleased with the town of West Byfleet, which she believed had been helped by Woolworths moving out and a Costa Coffee moving in.

She said: “People will go out and have a coffee, they won’t stay at home and have a cup of tea, they’ll sit and feel relaxed, then they shop a bit more, spend a bit longer in town, pay a bit more to the car park, it’s good for everybody.”

Mrs Hedges echoed Mr Leary’s comments about pockets of deprivation in Surrey, which could be masked by the county being perceived as generally affluent and successful.

But she added: “As a whole in Surrey, a lot goes on to help those areas that are having problems.

“Because seven-eighths of Surrey is doing really well, there is the money and experience to divert to those areas that need that help.”